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With the new CBA adding 4 players to every roster (two active roster and two practice squad slots), the Patriots will have all sorts of room to add linemen and quality TE to the current group. The new CBA is favorable to teams and doesn't really punish them unless a player outplays his contract by making the pro bowl or other awards.
I think there's an excellent chance they extend Thuney and spread out his fully guaranteed $14,781,000 cap hit over two or probably three years by converting some to roster bonuses, and adding incentives. They always have % of offensive snap bonuses in their OL contracts. They need the cap space and I think it all depends on if they get their targeted players in the draft and what they do in free agency.
If BB can draft two quality linemen plus a blocking TE in the first 4 rounds, the current group will be fine and be affordable under the new CBA, especially if Andrews can come back. The word is that he will, but it'll be wait and see how he fares in practice and the preseason.
I think BB will go tackle with his 1st round pick. There are five legitimate tackles on the board, so one of them ought to be there at 23.
Re: the expanded rosters: do we know if that takes effect immediately? Or do we have to wait a year for that? Either way, it's going to take some time for me to stop referring to the "53".